Chain-gear steering apparatus.



A A. sUNDH. CHAIN GEAR STEERING APPARATUS.

` APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, 1908. 962,268. Patented June 21,1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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Al SUNDH.

CHAIN GEAR STEERING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 1s, 190s.

Patented June 21, 1910.

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M ttozumj A. SUNDH.

CHAIN GEAR STEERING- APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED `TAN.18, 1908. 962,268. Patented June 21, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ffnung .TofaZZ ma UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

LGUST SUDE, FY-GNXEBS, YORK, .'ASSIGNOB/T' OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY,

v F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, AJCOBPOBALION 0F NEW JERSEY.

CHAIN-'GEAR STEERING Patented June 21, 1910.

Application: illed January 18,1908. -.Bealo.dl11,31.

`Be Iitiknown t I, AUcUsrSUNDH, a

- *citizen ofthe .United I'States, tresiding at Yonkers, in .the count of estchester and State. of New' Yor'k', .1 ave invented a new and useful Improvement Chain -Gear Steering pparatus,1.of'whichithe followin isa specification. j f

y invention relates-to steering apparatus, particularl to steering.v rmechanism for' vessels, an one of its o jects is to-pro- -vide simple land: eiiicient Imeans for,v controllin such steering gear.

yfurther objectief my invention is the rovision of improved andeective means or actuating the-rudder of avessel.

Other objects will'appear'hereinafter,fthe

, novel combinations of elements being set forth in'vthe'lclaims.

Referring to the'drawings, Figure 1 is an elevational view of a steering gear apparatus embodying my invention, -having'certain portions lbroken away so as to illustrate clearly the preferred construction; lFi 2 is a `plan view lof -a modification; an Fig. 3 is aiwiring diagram showing the electrical circuits used in Lconnection with my apparatus. Like characters of reference=denote simif lar parts in each of the figures.

1 designates a suitable base on which the steering ear apparatus is mounted. Secured to t is base are shown two'direct current motors; 2 and 3, eachof kwhich is arranged to drive, through suitable mechanism, chain pulleys 13 and 14, respectively. Since the mechanical connections between the 'motors '2 and 3 and their respective chain pulle s'13 and 14 are similar in every respect, a escription'of one will suice 'for the other. The motor 2 is connected'by its armature shaft l'to -a coupling 7 'which is preferably an insulatin coupling and is erein shown as such.

his-coup ing 7 is also connected to a wormshaft 4 whichextends through'a. st'uiling box 10, journal bearings 15 and 16 and the ball thrust bearings 9 and 8. The journal bearings 15 and 16 support the worm-shaft, while the 4ball bearings take up thev directend thrusts of the worm 5. The latteris securely fastened to the worm-shaft 4in any suitable manner' o1' may bc integral therewith, and the same meshes with a worm wheel 6 contained in the casing 111. Ashaftl'? is keyed or otherwise secunel `connectedto the worm wheel -(tand Lis pted :to :rotate in bearings `18 part of thefcasing 111. yThis shaft -17-is :rdly connected to the chain pulley -13 whi is shownin dotted lines dlrectly back .ofthe casing 11. The motor 3 is connected through a simil-ar worm and worm wheel .toa chain pulley 14 whichis shown infrontofthe casing v12. The chain u1- leys 13 and 14 are preferably arrange inv -substantiallythe same vertical plane.

At ltheright-hand =end of-the base 1 is a raised portion 30 carryin at its upper end Aa-bearing 3l for the-ruderpost 28' of the' :rudder 29. Attheto ofthe Vpost 28 is connecteda-'bevel ar2 which meshes with a bevel Vgear .26, -ew ich latter is ke ed or otherwise securely .fastened to a s aft 25 and wheel 24. The shaft 25 and wheel 24 are adapted `to rotate in suitable bearings not shown-on the drawing. At diametrically o posite points on the wheel 24'are'moun chain wheels20-and 21, so arranged as to `rotate freely about 'their supporting bearin s 22 and 23, respectively. These chain w eels 20 and 21, together with the chain wheels 13 and 14 beore described, lall lie in' substantially the same verticalfplane,and anendless chain 19 is led around these'czhainy wheels after the manner shown on thedrawing','by means of whichmotion isimparted from the motors -2 kand 3to'the rudder 429 in a manner 'tobe hereinafter pointed out. 'The `worms connected to `lthe `motors 2.and 3 are preferably ofA the same pitch and are both v`cut right handed so that in the 'normal operationpf .the steering'apparatusthe motors will runin op ositefdirections. fdesired, the worms may' cut left handed also-the pitch of the worms-neednot necessarily be the same, for, while the'latterfconstruction is operative,it involves father-conditions 'which' might not much slower speed, and solong as the motors 2 and 3'run at equal speeds the chain wheels I 13 and 14 rotate at equal speeds in opposite .be altogether desirable' when the same is j 2 'and 3 double rheostat 104 is automatically oper-Y directions. The endless chain 19 driven by the wheels 13 and 14 merely rotates the chain wheels 20 and 21 without exerting any tendency to rotate the wheel 24 and thereby alter the position of the rudder 29. Should' same speed in a clockwise direction, that portion of the endless chain 19 which passes over the chain wheel 20 is payed out by the' chain wheel 14 at the same rate as it is taken up by the chain wheel -13 and the length of chain passing around the chain wheel 20 lying between the chain wheels 13 and 14 is constant. The length of chain passing around the chain wheel 21 is likewise constant, since the total length of the endless chain 19 is fixed. 4

If now it be assumed that the relative speeds of the two motors 'is varied in such way that the motor 2 runs faster than the motor 3, the chain wheel 13 now takes up the portion of chain 19 passing over .the `chain wheel 20 faster than it is payed out by the chain wheel 14, with a resultant shortening of the upper half of the chain 19, and the chain wheel 20 is therefore pulled bodily in a left-handed direction, causing the wheel 24 to move in a counter-clockwise direction and thereby causethe rudder 29 to alter its position. 1f the motor 3 is caused to rotate at a faster speed than that of the motor 2 the wheel 24 1s caused to move in a clockwise direction, due to a shortening ofthe lower half of the chain 19. Thus it is readily seen that by varying the relative speeds of the motors 2 and 3 the rudder 29 may be moved to any desired position and the course of the vessel thereby determined.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I will describe an electrical controlling apparatus which may be used if desired. The motor armatures 2 and 3 are connected-in parallel to mains 9 5, '96, designated -1- and respeo# tively, throu h the sectional starting resist;- ance 94. 97 desi nates the main line switch', and 100, 101 in ependent switches for the motor armature circuits. The sectional resistance is controlled by a plurality of magnet switches which are arranged so as to cut out or short circuit the sectional starting resistance step by step in a vprearranged order. Thev starting.v switch 102 controls either of the reversing switches, and the adjustable rheostat`103 controls the relative s eeds of rotation rof the motor armatures after they have been started. The

ated upon the movement of the wheelY 24, to which it is either directly or otherwise con- `nected so as to move therewith., The purose-of this double rheostat is to equalize the elds 114,115 of the motors after the rheostat 103 has been operated, so as to bring the rudder to a stop. Assuming the main line switch 97 and the rheostat switch 129 to be closed, let the starting switch lever 116 be moved to the left so as to connect the same with the contact 117. Current will then How from the main to and through the wires 119, 120, blade 130 of the switch 129, wire 123, solenoid 124 of the reversing switch 99, wire 125, contact 117, lever 116, wire 126 to the main. The core 127 of the reversing switch 99 will thereupon be lifted and also .the contact plates 128, 131 carried thereby to effect a closing of the circuits to the motor armatures 2 and 3.

The reversing switches 98 and 99 are similar in construction, and each comprises a core or plunger 127 provided with a stem 132 which rigidly connects the contact plates 128 and 131, so as to move with said plunger. These contact plates are insulated from ythe stem 132 and from each other, and are adapted to electrically connect the fixed contacts 133, 134 and 135, 136, 137, respectively. A sto 141 is fixed in the line of movement o the plunger to limit its downward movement. switches 169, 170`and 171' control the sectional starting resistance 94 after the manner to be hereinafter described. Upon the operation of the reversing switch 99, a circuit may be traced from the main, through the circuits indicated by heavy black lines, backV to the main by way of the fixed contacts 133, 134 and contactplate 128 of the reversing switch 99, sectional starting resistance 94, motor armature switches 100, 101, and motor armatures 2, 3 in parallel, vwire 142, upper contacts 137, 135, and upper contact plate 131, and wires 143, 96. A circuit is normally established through the shunt fields 114, 115 in parallel at all times. This circuit may be traced from wire 144 at connection 146, to and through the wire 147, the arc-shaped contact strip 148, wiper 149, which is pivotally connected at 150, one of the contacts 158, the left-hand portion of the sectional resistance 151, wire 152, the left-hand portion of the resistance 153, one of the contacts 159, wiper 160 on the arm 110, arc-shaped strip 154, wire 155, 'the lower blade of switch 156, shunt field coil 115, upper blade of the field switch 156, wires 161, 126, wire 143, to the main 96. The parallel circuit extends between the contact 158, which the wiper 149 engages, and the point 162 between the switches` 156 and 157 and passes through the right-hand ortion of the resistance 151, wlre 163, le t-hand portion of resistance 164, wiper 166, contact strip 167, wire 168, the u per blade of the field switch 157, shunt fiel coil 114 of the other motor The solenoid and the lower blade of said switch 157. Therefore upon the operation. of the reversmg switch, current is sent through the motor armatures 2 and 3 tol start the same,

- the shunt fields being already excited. The

' which are operated by the magnets comprising the solenoids 172, 173 and 174, respectively. These magnet switches are provided with plungers 178, 179 and 180, to which are rigidly connected the contact plates 17 5, 176 and 177 by means of the stems 181, 182 and 183, respectively. The contact lates 175, 176 and 177 are adapted to electrically connect the fixed contacts 184, 185 and 186,

v 187 and 188, 189, respectively.

When the reversin switch 99 operates as heretofore explain a circuit is closed through the solenoids 172, 173 and 174 in series from the -lmain to the contact 133, contact plate ,128, contact 134 to and through the solenoids 172, 173 and 174, and to the contact 136, contact plate 131, contact 135, wire 143 to the main 96. The y accelerating magnets are therefore connected across the main line as soon as the reversing switch 99 has operated to close its contacts. v

As heretofore stated, it is desirable to have the accelerating magnetsoperate 1n a predetermined order; there are a number 169 is arranged to close itsv contacts first@ shortly afterward the magnet switch 170,; closes its contacts, and finally the magnet switch 171 closes its contacts. VIn this man.-

ner the sectional starting resistance 94 is not cut out of circuit too rapidly and the motors are started smoothly and without excessive flow of starting current. l

Having run both motors up to full speed, suppose it is desired to alter the position of the rudder'. As before pointed out, this isv accomplished by varying the relative speedof the' armatures 2 and 3. The means for varying-this relative speed comprises the rheostats 103 and 104 for changing the excitation of the shunt fields of the motors. The fields are of the same strength when the 'wipers 149, 160 and 166 are in their central field coils 115 and 114. More resistance is now placed in series with the field coil 114 and -an equal amount taken from the circuit including the field coil 115. The field coil of motor 2 having been weakened, the motor armature will increase in speed, while that of motor' 3 having been strengthened will decrease in speed. This relative difference in speeds of the two motors produces a rotation of the wheel 24, as

before pointed out, and the rudder therefore.

takes up a new position.

As before explained, when the rudder is moved the resistance varying arm 110 is moved in such a direction that the field strengths are equalized, that is, it is moved until the same amount of resistance is again placed in series with each shunt field vwinding, whereupon the motors will again rotate at the same speed and the rudder will discontinue its movement and remain stationary. For instance, if the wiper 149 is moved to the left to increase the speed of the motor 2, and at the same time decrease the speed of motor 3, the resistance varying arm 110 will move with the rudderin a clockwise direction, and consequently more of the resistance 153 will be inserted in the circuit of shunt field 115 of motor 3 and a portion ofthe reing of the parallel circuit from the wiper 149 through the resistance 151 ofthe manual rheostat 103, wires 152, 163, resistances 153, 164 of the automatic rheostat 104, wipers 160, 166, wires 155, 168, and field coils 115, 114 as before. A

Should the rudder move beyond its intended extreme end of movement the arm 111 of the rheostat 104. would strike-against the` pivoted lever 246 and open the contact 121. The switch 129 being in open position,

the opening of the contacts 121 wouldcause adenergizing of the solenoid 124 and therefore a cutting off of the current from the motors and the same would come to rest, securely holding the rudder from further movement. If the switch 129 is closed, however, the limit switches-121 and 251 would p be inoperative, as the blades 130 and 131 are respectively `in parallel with said limit switches.

Ordinarily, after the manually operated reversing switch 102 has been closed it may be left 1n closed position and the steering gear controlled by means of the manual rheostat 103 alone. In this case it is better to have the switch 129 in open position, ren` dering the limit switches 121 and 251 operat-ive, otherwise there would be the possibility of moving the rudder beyond its normal limit of movement.

Should one of the limit switches 121 or 251 be operated to open the circuit to the reversing switch 98 or 99 last operated, the electric controlling apparatus will be re` stored to normal, the motors stopped and the rudder held stationary. It will be noticed, however, that the limitswitch thus operated will be held open and, therefore, in order to release the rudder or move it back, the other reversing switch may be operated by reversing the manual switch 102. If desired, however, the switch 129 alone may be closed, the switchv102 left in its present position, and the wiper 149 moved back toward its central position.

Should one of the motors 2 or 3 become disabled or inoperative it may be disconnected from circuit by means of the hand switches in circuit with its armature and field and the other motor used alone. In this event the wiper 149 is brought to its eXtreme left-hand position soas to connect the contacts 247 and the motor controlled entirely by means of the switch 102. In thus operating the steering mechanism with one motor alone it is preferable to have the switch 129 in its open position, so that the limit switches 121 and 251 will be eiective to automatically stop the rudder at the limit of its travel.

It should be noted that when the wiper 149 is moved to its left-hand limit so as to connect the contacts 247, all resistance is cut out from in series with the shunt field coils 114 and 115 and the connected motor will run at its slowest speed with maximum field strength. When -only one motor is used the armature and field switches of its companion motor are opened. If desired the motor shafts could be provided with brake applying means adapted to be released by electro-magnets connected so as to operate whenever the motors receive current and to be applied whenever current is cut o from either or both motors. y y

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 2, lthe two lnotors are mounted in the casings 2 and 3a. The motor shafts 4 and 4 are in this instance arranged vertically, and have secured to their lower ends the s ur pinions 5, 5, meshing respectively with the in terna] gear teeth of the gear wheels 6, 6. Beneath the gear wheels 6', 6, and secured for rotation therewith, are the chain s rocket wheels or pulleys 14', 13 correspon ing to the pulleys 14, 13 of Fig. 1. Keyed to the upper end of the rudder shaft 28 is a horizontal lever or tiller 24. Sprocket wheels 20, 21 are journaled on the tiller near its opposite ends, and the endless chain 19 engages these sprocket wheels and the sprocket wheels 13', 14. rlhe operation of the mechanism just described is like that of Fig. 1 and needs no further description.

In connection with the mechanism just described, I have shown a hydraulic brake which operates automatically when the motors are stopped to lock the rudder 29 a ainst movement in either direction. This' rake comprises a cylinder 63 in which reciprocates the piston 62 having a piston rod 60 which passes through a stuiiing-box 64 in one of the cylinder heads. The outer end of the piston rod is secured to a cross-head 58 which works in stationary guides 59. A link 55 is pivoted at one end to the cross-head 58, and at its opposite end is pivoted at 54 to the end of the tiller 24 which extends a short distance beyond the sprocket wheel 20. The cylinder 63 is provided with ports 68 and 69 near its opposite ends and these ports are connected by a 'by-pass 70 which establishes communication between the ends of the cylinder. A rotary valve 72 is placed in the central portion of the bypass 70, and may be operated in any suitable manner. As here shown, the valve carries a pinion 86 engaged by a rack 73 at the end of a rod 80. This rod 80 may be secured to or formed integral with the core 82 of an electromagnet comprising the frame 83 and winding 84. Vhen the ma net is denergized the valve 72 is held in its closed position, as shown, by the coil spring 81 re-acting between the magnet trame and the collar 85 to hold the core 82 in its outward position. The magnet coil 84, as shown in Fig. 3, is connected across the mains between the reversing switches and the motor armatures, so that it will be energized whenever the motors, or either of them, are receiving current. The cylinder 63 and by-pass 70 are preferably filled with a substantially non-compressible fluid, as oil or water. In operation, when the reversing switch lever 116 is moved in either direction and one of the reversing switches closed, the magnet coil 84 is energized and the valve 72 rotated to open position. The fluid in the hydraulic brake may then circulate freely through t-he by-pass 70, and otfers no material resistance to the movement of the piston 62 when the rudder 29 is moved. But when the reversing switch is opened, either manually, as by the operation of the switch lever 116, or automatically, as by the operation of the limit switch 121, the magnet coil 84 will be denergized and the valve. 72 moved to closed posltion.

The piston 62 is now ysecurely held against movement in either direction, and thus operates as a brake to hold the tiller in a fixed position. This prevents any injurious strain or vibration due to lateral pressure on the rudder being transmitted to the motors or intermediate gearing. It also holds the rudder locked in any desired position, and

' when the rudder has been moved in either direction to its normal limit of movement and operates the limit switch, it is automatically locked against further movement.

Obviously, the hydraulic brake may be applied to the construction shown in Fig. 1 as w'ell as in Fig. 2. It will be noted, however, that in Fig. 1 the worm gearing serves to perform certain functions of 'the hydraulic brake, that is, it prevents any back movement being transmitted from the rudder to the motors. In other words, the worm gearing prevents any vibrations or strain being transmitted from the rudder to the motors, and also locksthe rudder against movement except'as positively operated by the motors. In order to indicate the position of the rudder at all times, and particularly when one motor alone is used, I sometimes provide an indicator of any suitable construction, but preferably having a pointer moving over a graduated scale, said indicator being connected in some suitable Way to some moving part of the steering` gear apparatus. lIn Fig. 2 I have shown such an indicator57, in which a pointer 90 is keyed to a shaft 91, rotated by means of a crank arm 92, and a link 56 connecting the crank arm and the cross-head 58. A graduated scale 93 indicates the position of the pointer which always corre ponds with that of the rudder.

Obviousl those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I wish therefore not to be limited. to the precise construction disclosed.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a steering device, the combination with a1 rudder, of a plurality of motors, means fori simultaneously driving the motors at a predetermined relative speed, means for varying said relative speed, drive sheaves connected to the motors and having the same peripheral speed when said relative speed of the motors is maintained, a flexible member driven by said sheaves,'a driven sheave engaged by said flexible member and moved by a variation in the relative peripheral speed of the drive sheaves, and connections between the driven sheave and the rudder sheaves, a direction shea-ve engaged by the chain or cable and moved by an' unequalperipheral speed of the drive sheaves, and driving connections between the direction sheaveand rudder.

3. In a steering device the combination with a rudder, of a pivoted member, a sheave journaled on said member, a chain or cable engaging the sheave, means for operating the two leads of the chain or cable extending from the sheave at different speeds, and thereby causing a rotary movement of` said pivoted member, and driving connections between said member and the rudder.

4. In a steering device, the combination with a direction sheave, of -drive sheaves each located on the same side of the direction sheave, a leXible member engaging the direction sheave and having its two leads extending to the drive sheaves, means for rotatingthe drive sheaves at the same or different relative speedsto either rotate or v move the direction sheave bodily, a rudder, and driving connections between the direction sheave and the rudder.

5 In steering apparatus, the combination with a rudder, of a pivoted member, direction sheaves journaled to said member on opposite sides of its pivot, a pair of drive sheaves both located at the same side of the pivoted member, an endless driving member engaging the drive sheaves and direction sheaves, manuall controlled means for rotating the drive s eaves either at the same or different peripheral speeds and a driving connection between the rudder and said pivoted member.

6. In steering ap aratus, the combination with a plurality ofJ driving elements, of a driven element having a combined movement of translation and rotation, flexible dili'erential driving connections between said driving and driven elements, and a rudder operated by the driven element.

7. In steering apparatus the combination with a plurality of motors, of worm shafts,

w/orm Wheels, a driven element, a rudder connected-to said element and positive differential driving connections comprising va flexible endless driving member between the worm wheels and said element.

8. In steering apparatus the combination with a plurality of motors, of horizontal worm shafts, verticalwormwheels, a driven element, positive diderential driving connections comprising a flexible driving member between the Worm wheels and said element and a rudder connected to said element and movable thereby in either direction from a central position.

9. In steering apparatus the combination with a plurality of horizontal worm shafts and worms on the shafts, of worm wheels, having different axes of rotation means for driving said shafts at relatively variable speeds, a driven element, positive differential driving connections between said element andthe worm wheels, and a rudder connected to said element,

10. The combination with a plurality of impart a differential movement to said ulleys, and a rudder operatively connecte to said chain.

12. In steering apparatus, the combination with a rudder, of a plurality of chain pulleys, an endless cham engaging said pulleys, a motor operatively connected to said pulleys, and driving connections comprislng miter gearin between one of said pulleys and the rud er.

`In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specilication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST sunDH.

Witnesses:

Cms. M. NISSEN, JAMES D. Ivens. 

